23 May 2008

Chelsea Editions, the England based fabric and furniture company recently announced that both Robert Kime and Alidad were joining their ranks with a new line of embroidered fabrics. While no mention of the Robert Kime partnership has yet made it onto Chelsea Edition's web site, the Alidad association is now online to be viewed.

The one name Alidad, Persian born and London based, is known for his classic, opulent, and sometimes over the top interiors. He started his career as head of Sotheby's Islamic Works of Art department before turning his energies to interior design. Alidad quickly became famous for his richly decorated rooms, which often have a masculine leaning. Always gorgeous, his interiors are laden with luxurious fabrics and textiles and layers upon layers of richly textured patterns. Minimalism is not a term that Alidad has any knowledge of. Every surface in an Alidad designed room is addressed and is either fauxed, papered, or upholstered. Only the most fortunate few can afford the sumptious luxury of an Alidad interior.

As such, Alidad's association with Chelsea Editions comes as somewhat of a surprise. Chelsea Editions is famous for their soothing toned checks and stripes and their extensive collection of Indian hand embroidered fabrics with butterflies, flowers, and vines stitched in mostly muted tones. Hardly the stuff of the velvet damasks and silk brocades that Alidad prefers to use. But, being a Persian, Alidad has remained true to his roots and his obvious love of Ottoman design, art, and textiles. This love influenced his fabric range for Chelsea Editions. Called "Bosphorous" - his embroidered fabrics have been scaled down for today's interiors, and their colors are muted so as to mix with antique textiles. Additionally, Alidad placed the patterns between stripes - perfect for wallcoverings a la Michael Smith's famous Urban Outfitter's Indian Bedspread Room. With names like Goli, Layla, Cyprus, and Naz, the influence of the Ottoman empire on the fabrics is hard to ignore. Here's a sneak peak at a few of the new Alidad designed Chelsea fabrics. Hopefully - we'll get a glimpse of Robert Kime's new collection soon:

Saz

A close up look of the embroidered detail of the Saz fabric.

Shayla:

Pari:

An Alidad designed drawing room: layers upon layers of opulent excess.

The same drawing room - with a view to the fireplace and bookcases.

An antique suzani from the 19th century was used for a skirted table. In just this small corner, it's interesting to see how many patterns and textiles Alidad used. Every square inch is touched by his hand.

In this famous Alidad dining room, he illuminated Verre églomisé panels on the walls to give the room a romantic candle lit effect.

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For a gentleman's bedroom retreat, Alidad used hand tooled leather panels on the walls.

For this paneled library, the wooden walls were too plain for Alidad so he designed faux painted panels to simulate an inlaid effect.

A closeup of the same library's fireplace: Alidad placed a painting over an antique mirror. Layers upon layers are always used to achieve the lush richness of his interiors.

For this listed estate, Buscot Park, Alidad was hired for his knowledge of history and the sensitivity he brought to the project.

Beside Chelsea Editions, Alidad has designed a line of fabrics for Pierre Frey. Here, a multi patterned fabric is laden with the typical Alidad attention to detail and luxury.

Another Pierre Frey fabric by Alidad.

Additionally, Alidad has designed a line of velvet covered furniture for Thomas Messel. Here - a bookcase covered in red velvet and nailheads, with black paw feet.

A candle lit sconce in red velvet.

And, lastly, a round hall table with the same details as above.

Of course, he also designs wall coverings - here a close up of a leather panel called Pomegranate.

A dining room, with the Pomegranate wall covering.

And finally - the man of the hour: Alidad, handsome with just an air of bemused confidence. Notice his red velvet hall table to the left of the sofa. The other two tables are also Alidad designed.